Questions About Prickly Pear Cactus

I have a prickly pear that is about 15 years old. In all the time I have had it, it has only bloomed once. It was covered with hundreds of yellow flowers. What am I doing wrong? I have taken a piece of it and started a new one a few years ago. I keep that outside year round, I live in Zone 6. The original I bring in every fall along with my night blooming cactus.

Please help and thank you

Answered by Heather on July 4, 2011Certified Expert

A.

It may not be getting enough cold in the winter. They need cold, dry winters to bloom and in the house, it may not be cool enough or kept dry enough.

I would check to see what the exact zones are for your variety of prickly pear cactus. It may be able to survive outside year round where you live. If this is the case, in the fall, move it to a sheltered location, like under an eve, where it will not get too much water from rain or snow.

How does one treat a diseased prickly pear cactus in Albuquerque (westside) New Mexico? Half the tunas have rotted/deteriorated over the winter.

Answered by Nikki on March 18, 2014Certified Expert

A.

It sounds like your cactus has rot. It is typically causes by too much water during dormant seasons but that normally causes rot at the base, so I think yours is caused by a fungus as the rot is higher. Treat the plant with a fungicide, and if possible, remove any rotted areas.

I have a patch of prickly pear cactus which I really like. The problem is the grass grows up with it and you can’t see thy cactus. Is there something that would kill the grass, but not harm the cactus or could I gently sprinkle rocks in until the rocks kill out the grass? Perhaps you know another solution.
Nancy Higdon [email protected]